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The 37th annual Douglas County Spelling Bee will be Saturday.

Twenty-four district winners representing fifth- through eighth-grade schools throughout the county qualified to take the stage in the Wildlife Safari auditorium and vie for the title of the county’s best speller.

Each contestant has already advanced through classroom and school district competitions. Each will receive a trophy for reaching the county level. The four finalists at the county level will receive additional trophies. The last speller standing at the end of the Douglas County Spelling Bee will also win a computer.

Spellers represent 16 of the county’s 34 public elementary and middle schools, one private school and one home school.

One student, Joseph Lane Middle School seventh-grader Boone Olson, is returning for the third year. Six students qualified for the second year: Lincoln Elementary School sixth-grader Hayley Braack, West Intermediate School sixth-grader Alyssa McCormick, Riddle School sixth-grader Elliott Lawton, Fremont Middle School sixth-grader Ashtyn Hooten, Fremont Middle School seventh-grader Azure Sensabaugh and Canyonville Elementary seventh-grader Thomas Spangler. There are also three pairs of siblings competing this year: Boone and Steen Olson, Avery and Bailee Tunnicliff, and Thomas Spangler and Layla Humber.

Umpqua Community College professor Jillanne Michell will pronounce the words for the spellers. News-Review Editor Vicki Menard will be the master of ceremonies. The judges will be volunteer Amy Holmgren and News-Review employees Donna Voth and Laurie Kell. The event coordinator is Vicki Johnston.

The following students have earned the right to compete:

Rachel Bober , a fifth-grader at Fullerton IV in Roseburg;

Hayley Braack , a sixth-grader at Lincoln Elementary School in Oakland;

Chalice Brown , an eighth-grader at Elkton Middle School;

Ethan Espinosa , a seventh-grader at Glide Middle School;

Shaunasi Hardy , a seventh-grader at Yoncalla Middle School;

Ashtyn Hooten , a sixth-grader at Fremont Middle School in Roseburg;

Layla Humber , a fifth-grader at Canyonville Elementary School;

Noah Knight , a fifth-grader at McGovern Elementary School in Winston;

Peter LaLande , a sixth-grade home schooler;

Elliott Lawton , a sixth-grader at Riddle School;

Austin Ling , a fifth-grader at Lookingglass Elementary School;

Sarah McClure , a sixth-grader at Coffenbery Middle School in Myrtle Creek;

Alyssa McCormick , a sixth-grader at West Intermediate School in Sutherlin;

Boone Olson , a seventh-grader at Joseph Lane Middle School in Roseburg;

Steen Olson , a sixth-grader at Joseph Lane Middle School in Roseburg;

Kyley Perucci , an eighth-grader at Joseph Lane Middle School in Roseburg;

Ceci Potter , a fifth-grader at Umpqua Valley Christian School;

Azure Sensabaugh , a seventh-grader at Fremont Middle School in Roseburg;

Shaelee Shears , a fifth-grader at Winchester Elementary School in Roseburg, will be unable to attend and no photo was submitted;

Thomas Spangler , a seventh-grader at Canyonville Elementary School;

Avery Tunnicliff , a sixth-grader at West Intermediate School in Sutherlin;

Bailee Tunnicliff , a fifth-grader at West Intermediate School in Sutherlin;

Lucas VanDermark , a fifth-grader at McGovern Elementary School in Winston;